Hollingsworth gains Star Student status

April 11, 2013

Danielle M Hollingsworth, 17, of Sturgis, Ms., has been named as STAR
(Student-Teacher Achievement Recognition) Student for the 2012-2013
school year by the Mississippi Economic Council’s M.B. Swayze
Educational Foundation, sponsor of the STAR program. She is the
daughter of Susan Holland and Brent Hollingsworth. She is active in
softball, Mind the Gap Tutoring, Apex Leadership Summit and Gazette
Staff. She is Class Vice President, Honor Society President and
Yearbook Co-Editor. Danielle has received the Woodmen of the World
History Award. She plans to attend The University of Mississippi
studying Biochemistry.

The Winston Academy senior will be honored during the annual
Education Celebration on April 11 at the Jackson Convention Center
downtown Jackson.

Additionally, on January 10, 2013, Mississippi State University
President Dr. Mark E Keenum announced a new MSU Scholarship program
with the STAR program. Mississippi State will offer a scholarship
worth $6,000 to every STAR student in Mississippi.

Star Students are selected on the basis of academic excellence. Both
American College Test scores and scholastic averages are compared to
determine the school’s STAR Student, explained Vickie Powell of
Jackson, Vice President, Foundation Programs. “The STAR program
encourages and promotes academic achievement among Mississippi’s high
school seniors,” she said.

Each STAR Student is asked to designate a STAR Teacher, the teacher
who has made the greatest contribution to the student’s scholastic
achievement.

Beverly S. Ballard, of Louisville, was designated STAR Teacher. She
teaches 8-12 grade Social Studies and French at Winston Academy. She
attended ECCC and University of Mississippi and received her BAE in
1979. She has been awarded Teacher of the Year Nominee, STAR Teacher
Hall of Fame, and 25 Year Service award. Mrs. Ballard has been
teaching for 29 years and within this time has been named STAR
Teacher 11 times.

Over 500 STAR Students and STAR Teachers will receive recognition
from MEC’s Swayze Foundation at the Celebration. The top 20 STAR
Students – the ALL-STAR Scholars – and their STAR Teachers will be
presented scholarship awards provided by the Kelly Gene Cook, Sr.
Charitable Foundation. The highlight of the Education Celebration
will be the naming of the Mississippi ALL-STAR Student for 2012-2013
school year, winner of the coveted $24,000 Cook Foundation scholarship.

Additional local support for the STAR program is provided by MEC
members from communities across the state.

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